The Hidden Gems of Provence on Foot

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Day 1: Avignon

Your trip begins in Avignon’s medieval town, set on the banks of the mighty Rhône River. Take time to stroll through its cobbled streets and discover Avignon’s hidden treasures: the Pope’s palace, the 12th-century bridge, the 14th-century ramparts still intact, and many museums and churches.

• Overnight in Avignon (Hotel Boquier or similar // charming option: Hotel Horloge or similar)

Day 2: St Remy and the Crest of the Alpilles | 10-18km

Short transfer (~30min) after breakfast to St Remy,  situated in the Alpilles hills, to start your walk. Take the time to explore the town, including its Roman ruins and former monastery where Van Gogh spent the last year of his life. Walk up the Van Gogh trail, lined with reproductions of his paintings facing the very scenes that inspired them. From there, you follow a winding botanical path up a gradual track and to the crest of the Alpilles mountains; a short but steep climb leads to the rock formation Rocher des Deux Trous, from where the views are outstanding. You then have two options: a leisurely stroll back down the mountain, or a sizeable detour on a breathtaking path along the rocky crest, adding a bit of adventure (followed by the same stroll back down the mountain). Note that the detour is a challenging hike on an otherwise easy walk, and you may not feel comfortable completing it unless you have walking experience on jagged and uneven paths. Though there are no cliff edges to contend with, there is some light scrambling involved and a bit of tricky orienteering to reach the crest.

• Walking for the day: 18km, 6h, ↑550m ↓550m / shorter alternative: 10km, 2.5-3h, ↑500m ↓500m
• Overnight in St Remy (Le Castellet des Alpilles or similar // charming option: Hotel Sous les Figuiers or similar)

Day 3: St Remy – Les Baux – Gordes | 19km

You follow a trail along the ridge to awe-inspiring 360-degree views, leading to a fortified medieval village of Les Baux-de-Provence, set atop its rocky perch, voted one of the most beautiful villages of France. Enjoy spectacular views from the Chateau des Baux fortress dotted with the ruins of castle walls. You have the option to visit the exciting Carrières de Lumières museum, famed for its unique audio-visual shows. The walk continues to the charming village of Maussane. Don’t miss tasting some of the local olive oil. A one-hour afternoon transfer from Les Baux takes you to the Luberon Mountains and the village of Gordes, your home for the next two nights, another one of the most beautiful villages of France. Dinner on your own and overnight in Gordes.

• Walking for the day: 19km, 7h ↑350m ↓400m / shorter alternative: 12km, 4h ↑270m ↓100m
• Overnight in Gordes (Le Mas des Romarins or similar; no charming option available)

Day 4: Fontaine de Vaucluse – Gordes and optional Senanque Abbey Circular Walk | 13km

A short transfer takes you to Fontaine de Vaucluse’s village, with its magical water source: a well that descends into infinity. Your path climbs through the pine and cedar forest on seldom-used trails and up to a plateau from where the panorama extends to far-reaching hilltop villages. You follow the 300-year-old Mur de la Peste, constructed when the plague hit Marseille in 1720, as a means to protect the Provence of the Popes (where you now stand) from the ravaging disease. Your journey ends at the magnificent village of Gordes, perched high above the Calavon valley. If you wish, you can add a loop walk to the Senanque Abbey. Atop a vast plateau, you cross through lavender and thyme-laden fields (lavender blooming in June) dotted with old stone huts, on your way to Sénanque Abbey – a jewel of 12th-century Romanesque architecture – You will have time to explore the abbey before returning to Gordes via a cobbled path.

• Walking for the day: 13km, 4.5h ↑450m ↓200m / with a loop to Senaque Abbey: 23km, 7.5h ↑650m ↓350m
• Overnight in Gordes (Le Mas des Romarins or similar; no charming option available)

Day 5: Lacoste – Bonnieux – Buoux – Auberge des Seguins | 17km

Short morning transfer to the village of Lacoste with the nearby ruins of the Marquis de Sade’s castle. The village offers a stunning ensemble of old village gates and cobbled streets and is a great place to have a coffee or drink before you start your walk at the “Café de France”. You continue to Bonnieux, another gem of the Luberon, immortalized in Peter Mayle’s A Year in Provence. Visit its beautiful town squares and the old cobbled steps leading to its 12th-century church. Beyond Bonnieux, you enter the Grand Luberon, following alongside a lavender field before reaching Buoux castle and the village of Buoux itself. Spectacular arrival at the Auberge des Seguins, in depths of the Aiguebrun gorge: a restored 17th-century goat farm, a real gem in an idyllic setting.

• Walking for the day: 17km, 5-6h ↑450m ↓350m
• Overnight in Auberge des Seguins outside Buoux (charming option: Le Clos de Buis or similar in Bonnieux with included transfer to/from the hotel)

Day 6: Buoux – Saignon – Apt | 14km

Pick up your picnic at the Auberge for today’s walk (no shops along the trails). You walk along the base of the Aiguebrun canyon, the only permanent river of the Luberon mountains, admire its massive limestone walls and lush vegetation before reaching the hidden hamlet of Sivergues. Its stone wall terraces the only remains of the cultivated fields that once sprawled around the tightly packed handful of homes. Continue through the vast lavender fields and truffle oak plantations to the medieval village of Saignon and its three castles’ ruins. You then descend to Apt, the Provencal capital of candied fruits, “fruits confits”.

• Walking for the day: 14km, 5h ↑400m ↓600m
• Overnight in Apt (Hotel L’Aptois or similar // charming option: Hotel Le Sainte Anne or similar)

Day 7: Apt – Colorado Provençal – L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue | 12km

Short transfer to Saignon to start your walk. You cross the Calavon valley before you reach the world’s largest ochre deposit: a rainbow of yellow, orange, and red sands. The maritime pine trees with their long and bright needles offer a beautiful contrast to the ochre soils. It’s an area called the Colorado Provençal”, and you’ll get the chance to explore the heart of this unique landscape, covering kilometres right in the heart of Provence, the old and crimson cliffs worthy of the Far West display canyon-like quarries, a succession of earth pillars and valleys with amazing contours. Short transfer to L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue also called Provencal Venice, for an overnight.

• Walking for the day: 12km, 4h ↑400m ↓300m / with a loop through the ochre fields: 16km, 6h ↑450m ↓350m
• Overnight in L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue(Les Terrasses by David et Louisa or similar // charming option: Grand Hotel Henri or similar)

Day 8: Departure

After breakfast end of the trip in L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue.

Click to view default hotels

• Hotel Boquier
• Le Castellet des Alpilles
• Le Mas des Romarins
• Auberge des Seguins
• Hotel L’Aptois
• Les Terrasses by David et Louisa

NB! Auberge de Seguins is hidden at the base of the Aiguebrun gorge at the very end of the road. There is no TV, wifi or cell phone coverage available. Dinner is family-style, with home-cooked Provençal specialities – like lamb shoulder braised with olive purée – served in a large casserole for the whole table, near the huge roaring fireplace. Breakfast is also “communal”: eaten on large farm tables, with no bells and whistles but with the freshest bread and tasty homemade jams. If you think you can’t survive without wifi, the upgraded hotel in Bonnieux can be booked for you at a supplement (on request only).

Hotels are subject to availability. In case a particular hotel is fully booked for your desired dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.

Click to view upgraded hotels

•  Hotel Horloge
• Hotel Sous les Figuiers
• Le Mas de la Beaume
• Le Mas de la Beaume
• Le Clos de Buis
• Hotel Le Sainte Anne
• Grand Hotel Henri 

Hotels are subject to availability. In case a particular hotel is fully booked for your desired dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.

Click to view travel options

• Train journey by TGV from Paris to Avignon is 3 hours, while a local train from the nearest international airport of Marseilles takes 2 hours to reach Avignon. Avignon is 5.5 hours by rail from London St Pancras (see details).